Former President of Panama Martinelli is running as a presidential candidate

Panama () — The former president of Panama Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) made official this Monday his presidential candidacy for the Realizando Metas party to compete on June 4 in the primaries of his group. He thus seeks to achieve the presidential candidacy for the general elections scheduled for May 5, 2024.

Martinelli applied despite the fact that on January 25 the US government announced that it was designating him as a person who had committed “significant acts of corruption,” according to a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who on that occasion explained that the former president would have accepted bribes in exchange for the award of contracts during his government.

These accusations are added to the fact that Martinelli is called to face two trials in Panama, both for alleged money laundering in the Odebrecht and New Business cases, the latter related to the purchase of a media outlet.

Faced with all the accusations, on several occasions has tried to obtain a direct reaction from the ex-president. His spokesman Luis Eduardo Camacho has always denied the accusations and assures that it is political persecution.

When asked about his presidential interest and the accusations against him, particularly from the US government, Martinelli said on Monday that in political activity “there is something called the presumption of innocence” and that “those who vote are the Panamanians”.

The trial for the New Business case is scheduled for April 17-28, and the Odebrecht trial for August 1-18.